There was a boom, and the seaside manor disappeared. The blind monk rushed over with his shovel and viciously swung it at Xun Qianye. Xun Qianye raised his hand and slapped out. He was a peak Hunter, but the blind monk had yet to reach that level. He was suppressed by Xun Qianye's star energy and forced back a thousand meters.
At that moment, a cold, flickering white light streaked past, leaving behind a trail of blood. Xun Qianye retreated and gritted his teeth as he stared in front of him, where Phantom Sting had appeared.
Two Hunters had attacked. Xun Qianye was the only Hunter in the Xun family, and the rest were only Cruisers.
"Lu Yin, are you really not going to hand it over?" Xun Qianye roared.
Lu Yin frowned. Something was wrong. That piece of paper was more important than he had imagined. Xun Qianye had not been thinking about running away in the face of danger, but rather threatening Lu Yin. This was very strange, and Lu Yin had a feeling that Xun Qianye was not bragging. "The gun is fake, but the thing inside is real."
Xun Qianye continuously dodged the blind monk and Phantom Sting's attacks, and his body was covered in wounds. When he heard Lu Yin's words, he gripped the paper tightly and his face turned cold. "You must hand over the real gun."
Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. "You really think I can't kill you?" He then charged forward. Xun Qianye roared, "You're courting death, Lu Yin! Don't blame me for this!" Xun Qianye then pulled something out of his cosmic ring, causing the surrounding star energy to solidify and transform into chains that pushed back the Blind Monk, Phantom Thorn, and Lu Yin. The next moment, Xun Qianye vanished.
Lu Yin immediately looked around, and his heart sank. He could not find Xun Qianye's rune lines; he had escaped.
"Capture everyone from the Xun family!" Lu Yin barked.
Not long after, everyone from the Xun family on the planet was captured. There were more than seventy people in total: three Cruisers, fifteen Explorers, and the rest were all Limiteers.
Lu Yin asked them about Xun Qianye's whereabouts, but none of them knew anything. He had no choice but to bring them all back to the Great Yu Empire for interrogation.
This matter was a little strange, and it might cause trouble in the future, but Lu Yin did not care too much. The Xun family could not compare to the Daynight clan, and since the Innerverse and Outerverse had been separated, Xun Qianye would at most be able to find an Enlighter to help. Even if he found a powerhouse with a power level of over 300,000, Lu Yin still had Elder Lohar and Mister Mu..
Lu Yin's whereabouts, Xun Qianye's whereabouts.
Lu Yin contacted the bespectacled Mistchild and had Mafioso Planet search for Xun Qianye's whereabouts.
After dealing with the Xun family, Lu Yin did not immediately return to the Great Yu Empire. Instead, he went to Shenwu Continent's space station.
En Ya had sent the improved herbs to Ming Zhaoshu, but there had been no reply. He wanted to see it for himself.
At Shenwu Continent's space station, Madam Meilan met with Lu Yin. "If I'm not wrong, the Xun family is finished."
Lu Yin smiled. "I still have to thank you for telling me about the Xun family."
"You don't have to be so polite, Student Lu. Elder Qiuyu has already sent word that the Daynight clan will not be your enemy. We hope that you won't make things difficult for us," Madam Meilan said with a smile.
Lu Yin laughed. "Who in the entire universe would dare to make things difficult for the Daynight clan? But there's something that I need your help with."
"Please speak," Madam Meilan said.
"Xun Qianye escaped. I want to ask Madam to help me find out where he is," Lu Yin said.
Madam Meilan smiled and nodded. "Alright, I'll mobilize the Daynight clan's resources in the Outerverse to help Student Lu investigate. However, what benefits will I get?"
"What do you want?" Lu Yin asked.
Madam Meilan thought about it. "Nothing at the moment, but if I can help you find Xun Qianye's whereabouts, then I'll think about it."
Lu Yin smiled and nodded. He then entered Shenwu Continent with Huo Qingshan's help.
Shenwu Empire, Shanhai City, Reverent King's study. Ming Zhaoshu looked into a mirror and touched his forehead before casually tossing the mirror away. He had aged once again. The natural treasures that had replenished his life force had allowed him to last a year, but now it seemed that he would only last half a year at most. In other words, he would die in half a year.
Ming Zhaoshu clenched his fists, but then relaxed them. He had already accepted his fate.
"Father, I'm here," Ming Yan's voice rang out from outside the study.
Ming Zhaoshu said in a low voice, "Come in."
Half a day later, Ming Yan walked out of the study, looking exhausted. Ever since she had found out that Ming Zhaoshu did not have much time left, she had been working hard to deal with government affairs so as not to disappoint him. As for the torment and pain in her heart, she could only silently endure it. She could only return to her room and cry once in a while to relieve her pain.
It was during these times that she missed Lu Yin even more. She really wanted to find someone to rely on.
"Princess, please have your meal." A maid brought in the food and placed it on the table in the room.
Ming Yan waved a hand to dismiss her. She was not in the mood to eat, and she stared blankly at the sky through the window. Her gaze then landed on a memorial on the dressing table. She really hated such things, but she had no choice but to deal with them.
She picked up the memorial and opened it. Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of her and took the memorial away. "Eat first."
Ming Yan's body trembled, and she looked to the side where a familiar figure had appeared.
Lu Yin put down the memorial and placed his hand on Ming Yan's cheek. He gently said, "It hasn't been that long, but you've lost so much weight."
Ming Yan's eyes were red as she stared blankly at Lu Yin. Clear tears streamed down her face as she threw herself into his embrace and sobbed softly. It was as if she was venting all of the grievances, helplessness, and despair that she had felt during this period.
Lu Yin hugged Ming Yan's soft body and did not say anything. He just held her like that.
Soon, Ming Yan fell asleep. She slept very peacefully.
Lu Yin placed her on the bed and kissed her forehead. He then walked out of the room and went directly to Ming Zhaoshu's study.
When Tang Si saw Lu Yin, he immediately bowed.
Lu Yin pushed open the door and walked in.
Ming Zhaoshu stared at him. "I guessed that you would come."
Lu Yin closed the door and saw that there was a chair beside the desk. "It seems like those medicinal herbs were useless."
Ming Zhaoshu smiled bitterly, as if he was mocking himself. "After so many years of painstaking effort, he didn't even dare to have a son. Once he gained power, he forced my brother and the crown prince to their deaths. But in the end, the Shenwu Empire doesn't even have a successor. Little Seven, don't you think it's funny? Hahahaha."
Lu Yin calmly looked at Ming Zhaoshu. "Ming Zhaotian's heirs are all dead?"
Ming Zhaoshu closed his eyes and fell silent.
Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. This person was ruthless enough to slaughter all of the heirs of the Shenwu Empire. Ming Zhaoshu had wanted to give birth to a son, but his life had been cut short. This could be considered retribution!
"Yan 'er is not suitable to inherit the Shenwu Empire," Lu Yin said.
Ming Zhaoshu opened his eyes. "So what? She's the only successor of the Shenwu Empire. Aside from her, there's no one else. She must inherit the empire."
"I don't care about a mere Shenwu Empire. I hope that she can choose the life that she wants and not be destroyed by some so-called empire. Wendy Yushan handed the Great Yu Empire to me, so why can't you hand the Shenwu Empire to someone else?" Lu Yin sternly retorted, as Ming Yan's current state made his heart ache.
Ming Zhaoshu stood up. "This is the Shenwu Continent, not the universe. Even though the universe's culture has impacted us recently, it's impossible for people to change their minds too quickly. The Shenwu Empire must be inherited by someone from the Ming family, or the world will fall into chaos."
"That's just your selfish excuse," Lu Yin said coldly.
"No matter what, Yan 'er is my daughter and the only successor of the Shenwu Empire. She must bear this heavy responsibility," Ming Zhaoshu said firmly.
Lu Yin's eyes flashed as he met Ming Zhaoshu's gaze.
"Handing the Shenwu Empire to me is the same," Lu Yin said.
Ming Zhaoshu's finger twitched. "You want to steal the Shenwu Empire?"
"Yes, and so what?" Lu Yin's tone was frosty.
Ming Zhaoshu laughed in a carefree manner. "If you had done this before establishing the Great Eastern Alliance, then you could have done this. Even if the Shenwu Continent fell into chaos, it would have nothing to do with you, and you wouldn't care. Unfortunately, the Shenwu Empire has already joined the Great Eastern Alliance. If you steal the Shenwu Empire now, who would dare to join the Great Eastern Alliance?
Little Seven, you're overthinking things. "
"For Yan 'er's sake, I can adjust my strategy," Lu Yin said indifferently.
Ming Zhaoshu shook his head, not angered by Lu Yin's words. Instead, he felt a trace of gratitude. "I understand your feelings for Yan 'er, and I'm very gratified that you're willing to give up the Great Eastern Alliance for her. However, inheriting the Shenwu Empire is her mission. If you steal the Shenwu Empire and cause the continent to fall into chaos, will she forgive you?
Given her kindness, do you think that she'll agree? "
Lu Yin was helpless, as he could not answer.
"Little Seven, it's up to man to plan, but it's up to the heavens to succeed. Many people say that man can conquer the heavens, but that's just another choice given by the heavens. The heavens like to joke around, and we can't do anything about it. I've obtained everything, but now I'm facing death. You can steal everything, but you can't steal my heart. The more you steal, the more likely Yan 'er will be disappointed in you, and even herself.
Lu Yin looked at Ming Zhaoshu. "How much longer can you live?"
A trace of pain flashed through Ming Zhaoshu's eyes. "Half a year at most."
Lu Yin's emotions were complicated, as he truly did not want Ming Yan to take on this so-called responsibility. He only wanted her to live happily and carefreely, and that was enough for him. However, everyone had different thoughts.
Ming Zhaoshu had lived for a long time, and he could see further into the future. The best choice was for Ming Yan to marry Lu Yin as the Shenwu Empress. Otherwise, she would be nothing more than a vase that would eventually be abandoned. When two people were together, it was love, but to maintain this love, they had to work hard together. Love had a very short shelf life.
This was what it meant to be an appropriate match. Ming Zhaoshu would rather Ming Yan bear the pain of inheriting the empire than allow her to bear the pain of love in the future.
He could not say these words to Lu Yin. Regardless of whether it was Lu Yin or Ming Yan, they had too little experience in relationships and had too little experience in life. Even if he said these words, they would not understand.
Lu Yin left the study, as he did not know how to convince Ming Zhaoshu. Ming Zhaoshu's determination was unshakable, and he wanted to talk to Ming Yan. If Ming Yan did not want to inherit the Shenwu Empire, then Lu Yin would act. No matter what Ming Zhaoshu said, he would take over everything.
Ming Yan slept for an entire day, and Lu Yin stayed by her side to watch over her.
When Ming Yan opened her eyes and saw Lu Yin, her heart melted. The unfamiliarity from before disappeared, and she once again felt that kind of connection.
When he saw that Ming Yan had woken up, Lu Yin hurriedly brought over a bowl of porridge and helped her up. "Open your mouth."
Ming Yan's face flushed red, and she whispered, "Brother Lu, I- I'll eat by myself."
"No, you slept for so long and you didn't eat anything. You don't have any strength. I'll feed you. Come, be good and open your mouth."
"Okay."
…